Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-01-03

was laid.
Willy looked up. trying to smile. at
is not so bad as they say. is it? can't
die now! have too much to do"
What have you to do. my boy?
Let me be your friend; let me help you,
if can"
II thought you would come, maybe.
i haven't anybody to come. The boys
are good friends. but they couldn't do
anything now"
II have come, you see. Tell me what
can do. my boy"
The lad waited until the nurse had
passed his cot, and then whispered:
''lt's Lefty, sir. She is my sister, l
have her out with a farmers wife near
Media. She goes to school there. 1t
takes all can make to pay her board
and buy her clothes. L like to see her
look nice" His mind began to wan
der, and he began p mutter at inter-
walls.
'If could start the stall-the shop
a carriage for Lefty"
The doctor was forced to leave him.
When he came back in the afternoon,
he was rational, and when the doctor
wished to 90 for his sister, said:
mo. don't bring Lefty here She
mustn't know how poor | am. When l
60 out on Sundays TO see her have my
good suit on. She calls me n swell.
Yes. she does" laughing, but with tears
in his eyes II went once with some
papers to Quaker boardlng-school for
girls near town, sir. They were such
lovely young ladies, always thought
I'd send Lefty there when l could get
the money. But now"
Dr. Avery found out his story by de-
grees. He and Lefty were the children
of a planter near Savannah. Their
mother was in Philadelphia during the
war. Her husband was killed, her
slaves and property were gone. She
struggled for years. teaching and sew
ing, to support them, and at last died,
leaving Willy in charge of his little sis
| ter.
'And your name?"
my father was Charles Gilbert"
Dr. Avery drew his breath quickly.
Il knew Charles Gilbert in Savannah
long ago. No wonder your voice seemed
familiar. and that was drawn to you
so strongly. But you are my friend for
| YOUR OWli ouhC, III IVY
That evening Dr. Avery sent long
despatch to lawyer in Savannah,
where he once lived and still had bust.
ness interests. He took two of the prin-
cipal surgeons in the city to examine
| Willy.
When they had gone out for consulta-
ton, the boy lay, holding his hand,
watching the door, breathing quick and
hard.
do you want TO live. Willy? You
have had hard life. my child"
''0h no, no! did not think it hardl
| have so much to do for Lettvr'
Had you never any plans for your
self?"
The boy turned his gray eyes thought
fully on him. They filed with slow
tears
II used to think-if | could be a
scholar-a gentleman, like my father
| but
IF you do not live, my boy" said his
friend, trying 10 reconcile him TO death.
God VIII take care of you. This poor
body will not be against you any
longer"
|
ly, yehemently. at is not me. Every
body knows that. If God will only give
me the chance to do something in the
world. the body won't stand in my
way" He muttered after while
again, ut is not me."
DR.. Avery was called out to hear the
verdict of the surgeons. When he came
back Willy gave one look at him and
sank back, covering his face.
There is still chance, my boy,
though but slight one. think it best
to tell you the exact truth Morning
| will decide. Would it comfort you to
have Lefty with you? | have brought
her to town.
"Yes! yes! 1t doesn't matter now
that she knows | am poor little news
boy"
Lefty was a sturdy, rcd-checked little
woman, whose every word showed a
heart full of love and head full of
good sense. She petted and soothed
Willy, while he chung to her, and then
said. cheerily:
Nov, dear, you must go to sleep.
You are not going to die. The doctors
don't know how strong you are. The
nurse says may sit here and hold your
hand, and in the morning give you
| your breakfast"
For days the boy fingered between
life and death. One morning, after the
doctors had made their examination,
his old friend came to him and taking
his hand solemnly, said:
Willy. God has given you the chance
you asked for to do something in the
world. You will live"
When he was able to be removed, DIR.
Avery took the children to his own
house. He laid before Willy q state
| meut of his fathers affairs that he had